KEY POINTS
- Investopedia targets Nigeria’s $100bn infrastructure gap.
- Governors push global capital for inclusive growth.
- New NGF Fund to support investor confidence.
Nigeria’s 36 governors launched a new platform to attract global capital and strengthen investment across multiple sectors. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum introduced Investopedia in Abuja on Tuesday, describing it as a one-stop shop for credible investment projects.
The biennial publication will appear in print and digital formats and highlight state opportunities at global investment gatherings. These gatherings include the UN General Assembly, the Africa Investment Forum, and the Intra-African Trade Fair.
NGF Chairman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule, said the platform aims to mobilize capital into Nigeria’s states.
He said Investopedia would “unlock prosperity” and help reduce Nigeria’s $100 billion annual infrastructure financing gap.
Governors unite to attract global capital
AbdulRazaq emphasized that foreign direct investment into Nigeria has averaged only $2 billion annually—less than 0.5 percent of GDP—and remains concentrated in oil, telecoms, real estate, and agriculture.
He said Investopedia aims to diversify inflows and spotlight new areas such as agro-processing, renewable energy, finance, and ICT.
“The subnational governments bear the heaviest burden of the infrastructure gap,” he said. “Public projects alone cannot solve this problem. To unlock prosperity, we must mobilize both global and African capital finance.”
The NGF said the publication will provide curated pipelines of projects across all 36 states, enabling investors to identify credible opportunities with confidence. “It is not just a padlock; it is an entry point,” AbdulRazaq said.
Investopedia to drive jobs and inclusive growth
According to Punch, the NGF also announced plans to complement the platform with a pooled investment vehicle, the NGF Fund, backed by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and the Central Bank of Nigeria. The fund will channel catalytic capital into state projects, ensuring that the deals highlighted in Investopedia translate into tangible investments.
Abdulateef Shittu, Director General of the NGF, described the initiative as “a new dawn” for subnational investment readiness.
He noted that states have collectively budgeted more than ₦17.5 trillion for capital projects in 2025, reflecting their determination to transform infrastructure and social services despite financing constraints.
“The infrastructure financing gap in Nigeria is nearly $1 trillion over the next decade,” Shittu said. “By curating bankable pipelines of projects, the NGF Investopedia creates a transparent, accessible, and globally visible entry point for investors.”
The governors urged both local and foreign investors to seize the opportunity. “Nigeria’s subnationals are open, credible, and investment-ready,” AbdulRazaq declared. “Together, we can bridge the gap and unlock a new era of prosperity.”
